By LIAM DURKIN

 

THE Com Games upgrade can’t come quick enough.

As the final siren sounded at Ted Summerton Reserve, signalling a two-point Leongatha victory at the weekend, a Moe player celebrated thinking his side had in fact won.

Such blissful unawareness was understandable, given the LED lights used on the electronic scoreboard were in such bad condition, it was at times impossible to read the numbers.

The venue was set to host cricket events at next year’s Commonwealth Games, before the previous Andrews state government pulled the pin due to budget blowouts.

The Games will instead be held in Scotland.

Morwell MP, Harriet Shing was Minister for Commonwealth Games Legacy when the decision was made, leading the Opposition to label it the ‘Con Games’ ever since.

The legacy component will still come through, with Ted Summerton Reserve set to undergo a much-needed facelift.

Lighting needs especial attention. There are pockets on the oval reduced to virtual darkness during night training sessions such is the current state of the floodlights.

The looming upgrade will also see Moe Cricket Club off their home ground for the upcoming summer.

The Lions will make Burrage Reserve, Newborough their home this Cricket Latrobe Valley season.

As an aside, local cricket pundits will surely be taking an interest in Moe scores, as players go from the batter friendly conditions of Ted Summerton, to a venue known for the notorious ‘Burrage Bounce’.

While work is yet to commence at Ted Summerton Reserve, movements are happening at Falcons Park, Morwell, another venue that was set aside for the Commonwealth Games, along with the Gippsland Regional Indoor Sports Stadium (which was to host badminton).

Falcons 2000 Soccer Club has vacated for the rest of the Latrobe Valley Soccer League season, relocating to Morwell Recreation Reserve.

The soccer club is using the synthetic football oval to train, and Morwell Cricket Club’s social room for hospitality.

The club has reported it is still doing a good number of Thursday night meals, and has thanked the cricket club for its generous use of the facility.

For the Gippsland League meanwhile, the situation regarding grounds is surely causing a few headaches.

The league has gone back to a tender process this season, following a two-year rotation that saw every club (except Drouin) host a final.

The Hawks’ ground is off limits this season as it undergoes redevelopment, although there is some hope it will be ready in time for the Round 18 Western Derby against Warragul.

Given that venue is fighting the clock however, it might not be available for finals.

Fellow Baw Baw Shire ground, Western Park, Warragul has an astro cricket pitch in the middle, and the preference would surely be to not have a major league final with concrete on the surface.

The same could be said for the Traralgon Showgrounds, still operating out of portable changerooms, and if Ted Summerton can’t even get a scoreboard to work properly, can you really play a final there?

Alternative scoreboards could obviously be arranged, and Moe admittedly would benefit from hosting a final if it meant a home ground advantage and direct path to the Grand Final.

It is understood the Lions have not put in a tender to host a final, feeling the financial windfall is not worth the effort considering the set up, on-the-day running and subsequent clean-up hosting a final requires.

Clubs only receive canteen takings for finals, while the league gets the gate. Clubs can receive bar takings, but only if they pay the league’s tender fee.

Elsewhere, Maffra Recreation Reserve was reduced to a mud pit following heavy rain earlier this month, and may not be up to standard.

That leaves just Morwell Rec, Sale Oval, Leongatha, Wonthaggi and Bairnsdale recreation reserves.

Morwell will likely get the Grand Final as it is the most central location, and while it would be unfair to cancel out Wonthaggi and Bairnsdale if they are willing to host, the travel factor could determine their fates.